American Political Science Association Minority Fellowships

Since 1969, the American Political Science Association (APSA) Minority Fellowship has designated more than 500 Fellows, both funded and unfunded, and contributed to the completion of doctoral political science programs for over 100 individuals. APSA has refocused and increased efforts to assist minority students in completing their doctorates by concentrating not only on minority recruitment, but also assisting with the retention of these groups within the profession.

The APSA Minority Fellows Program designates up to twelve stipended minority fellows each year. Additional applicants who do not receive funds from the Association may also be recognized and recommended for admission and financial support to graduate political science programs. Stipended fellows $4,000 in two payments, one at the end of their first graduate year and one at the end of their second, provided that they remain in good academic standing. Awards are based on students’ undergraduate or graduate course work, GPA, personal statement and resume, extracurricular activities, GRE scores, and recommendations from faculty.

The APSA Minority Fellows Program is designed primarily for minority students applying to enter a doctoral program in political science. In addition, applicants must be U.S. citizens at the time of application and must belong to one of the following racial/ethnic minority group: African Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, Latinos/as, and Native Americans (federal and state recognized tribes). Applicants must be current college seniors or recent graduates, or enrolled in a master’s program and applying for a doctorate in political science. APSA also expects applicants to demonstrate an interest in teaching and for potential research in political science.